Oneil Cruz recorded two hits, including a go-ahead RBI triple, to propel the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday afternoon.
One day after hitting two home runs to help the Pirates defeat the Brewers by one run, Cruz was instrumental in making that happen again. He roped a line drive off reliever Tyler Alexander (2-5) in the seventh that reached the right-center wall to drive in Isiah Kiner-Falefa with the eventual winning run.
The Brewers mounted a rally in the ninth. Third baseman Caleb Durbin, who had three hits, reached base by getting hit on the hand by David Bednar’s 96-mph fastball. Two batters later, Joey Ortiz singled for his third hit of the game.
Bednar recovered by inducing Brice Turang to hit into a game-ending 6-3 double play to pick up his fifth save of the season. The Brewers, who lost for the third time in four games, mustered 11 hits, but few in clutch situations.
Milwaukee loaded the bases with one out in the seventh and the game tied 1-1, but could not score. Turang grounded into a fielder’s choice as Sal Frelick was forced out at home. Chase Shugart (3-3) relieved Caleb Ferguson and induced an inning-ending fly out to right by Jackson Chourio. The Brewers left nine on base for the game.
Neither starter factored in the decision, but both had quality starts.
Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller allowed one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over six innings. Milwaukee’s Quinn Priester, who made his first career start against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2019, gave up one run on six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk over six innings.
Bryan Reynolds singled with two outs in the bottom of the first and Spencer Horwitz, who had two hits, followed with an RBI double to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
The Brewers tied the game in the top of the second when Durbin singled to center to drive in Christian Yelich, who singled and stole second with two outs.
–Field Level Media
